I'm thinking about getting a car vacuum and about to start looking. Any recommendations and experiences are welcome. I'd prefer the smaller kind to preserve boot space but keeping in mind it has to actually work and be capable of picking up the typical road grit.

The handheld ones are really only suitable for occasional spills, unless you go for one of the dyson handhold ones which are very expensive but very cool. For cleaning a car, you are best to use a proper household one. I use a car and dog miele for that purpose as the handhold power brush picks up everything. Although I don't think the new ones come with that as standard, as they reduced it's features to cut down the price.

the Electrolux have a handheld ones that are pretty good. the 12V and 18V picks up everything the eye can see. they also have a 24V that they try to get rid of, but that model does not have a ironsized pull out module for tight spaces

joker97: the Electrolux have a handheld ones that are pretty good. the 12V and 18V picks up everything the eye can see. they also have a 24V that they try to get rid of, but that model does not have a ironsized pull out module for tight spaces

Ok, the 12 sounds worth a look. Ideally I'm looking for something that will run off a cig plug and never need to see a power point. I'm not averse to removing batteries and adding my own cable if that is practical and what it will take. Something already designed for that model of operation is helpful tho, but only if it's a good thing.

mattwnz: The handheld ones are really only suitable for occasional spills, unless you go for one of the dyson handhold ones which are very expensive but very cool. For cleaning a car, you are best to use a proper household one. I use a car and dog miele for that purpose as the handhold power brush picks up everything. Although I don't think the new ones come with that as standard, as they reduced it's features to cut down the price.

I'd second the Dyson Handheld, they are very good though a bit spendy. Easily the best of the handhelds.

The only problem with any handheld is they don't reach into all the hard to get at places. The bulk of the unit prevents access, unlike having a longer hose and nozzle of the household units. Having said that you can get accessories for the likes of the Dyson.

One big plus of the handhelds there is no need to run a power cord to use them.

I've got a new 12 v black and decker handheld, cost about $120. It is not a replacement for a proper vacuum. Originally purchased for car use, but it was never suitable, and only used around the house for the odd thing.

If you want to modify a battery unit to be wired, it should work but keep in mind the batteries act like large capacitors for the peak current surges from the motor brush contacts. So if it does not work as well as before, you might have to put the batteries back.

If the unit had Ni-based batteries, don't leave it on charge 24/7 or they will loose their capacity in a year or so. All the cell manufacturers state you can without explosion or fire or leakage, but don't say that you loose capacity. That is where Li-based batteries are better in that they require safety circuits to prevent over charging which they cannot tolerate.

Niel: If you want to modify a battery unit to be wired, it should work but keep in mind the batteries act like large capacitors for the peak current surges from the motor brush contacts. So if it does not work as well as before, you might have to put the batteries back.

If the unit had Ni-based batteries, don't leave it on charge 24/7 or they will loose their capacity in a year or so. All the cell manufacturers state you can without explosion or fire or leakage, but don't say that you loose capacity. That is where Li-based batteries are better in that they require safety circuits to prevent over charging which they cannot tolerate.

I think many do still use Ni-cads, probably because they are cheap. Ironically the instructions often say to leave them on the base to continually charge.